Weekly Update #38
November 21

On 15 November a new wave of missile attacks – the largest on energy infrastructure since the start of the war, according to the Ministry of Energy – left millions of people in Ukraine without electricity, water or heating. This came at a critical time when the temperature is dropping below zero, raising concerns about a serious humanitarian crisis during the harsh Ukrainian winter if people are unable to heat their homes.

The attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure came just a few days after the Government recovered control of the city of Kherson and dozens of other towns and villages in this southern region of the country, which had been taken by Russian forces in the first weeks of the war in early March. The security situation in this part of the country remains highly volatile, with fighting and attacks reported across the new frontline and some of the areas which remain outside the control of the Ukrainian Khersonska oblast Military Administration urged residents of the city and other recently retaken areas to evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine, informing that the levels of destruction and limited access to essential services will make it nearly impossible for the Government to ensure people in these areas can meet their basic needs. Over 165,000 people in villages retaken by Ukraine, including the city of Kherson, face dire humanitarian situation due to extensive damages and destruction of infrastructure.

In other parts of the oblast recently retaken by Ukrainian forces, including Novovorontsovka, Novooleksandrivka, Velyka Oleksandrivka and Vysokopillia, humanitarians have reported a dire situation, as people face similar challenges as in Kherson city. Local authorities report that a large part of the infrastructure of the retaken areas has been damaged, including up to 70 per cent in Novovoskresenske village, where new attacks were recorded on 8 November. Local authorities also report very limited functional social services, with pressing needs in various humanitarian sectors.

Incidents involving mines and explosive ordnance are increasing across Ukraine, particularly affecting people in areas where the Ukrainian Government recently regained control. At least eight incidents were recorded in Kharkivska oblast in the first week of November alone, compared to four similar cases in the second half of October. Other accidents involving civilians have also been reported in the southern Khersonska and western Rivnenska oblasts at the beginning of the month. Furthermore, livestock owners in Khersonska oblast being unable to graze their animals because their fields have been contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Source: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/ukraine/

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

As of October 27th, IOM estimates 6.5M IDPs are displaced across Ukraine. This represents a slight increase compared to 6.2M as of the end of September. Among these, 450,000 have been newly displaced within the last 30 days. Most new displacements took place from locations in the East (280,000), only 23,000 are estimated to have been displaced from Kyiv city within this time.

6,540,000 EST. INTERNALLY DISPLACED

+297,000 since 26 September

5,937,000 EST. TOTAL RETURNEES

+29-99,000 since 26 September (incl. 23% returns from abroad

ESTIMATED LOCATION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS BY MACRO-REGION

An estimated 14 per cent of the displaced population were reportedly considering leaving their current location in the forthcoming weeks (an estimated 916,000 individuals) with a further 13 per cent considering return (857,000).

IOM’s latest data do not show any increase in general propensity of the population for movement – in fact, only 2.8% of the non-IDPs overall are considering leaving their current location (compared to 2.7% as of September 26), and 27 %of IDPs are currently considering to leave their location (compared to 31% as of September 26).

Among those who are actively considering return, most were driven by a desire to reunite with family and friends in the area of habitual residence (35%). Other prominent drivers were financial motivations, such as their owned accommodation being cheaper (35%) or returning to employment or businesses in the area of habitual residence (24%).

Over half of all IDPs had been displaced for more than 6 months (53%). Half of all IDP respondents reported that their habitual residence had been damaged (45%) or completely destroyed (5%). Of those, nearly all cited a lack of financial resources as the primary barrier to repairing the damage (94%).

24 per cent of IDPs reported their monthly household income was below the national minimum wage.

Source: IOM Internal Displacement Report — General Population Survey Round 10 (17 - 27 October 2022)

CIVILIAN CASULTIES

(As of November 14, 2022)

Total civilian casualties from 24 February to 13 November 2022

From 24 February 2022, when the Russian Federation’s armed attack against Ukraine started, to 13 November 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded: 16,631 civilian casualties in the country: 6,557 killed and 10,074 injured.

This included:

a total of 6,557 killed (2,559 men, 1,752 women, 170 girls, and 204 boys, as well as 34 children and 1,838 adults whose sex is yet unknown)
a total of 10,074 injured (2,176 men, 1,563 women, 208 girls, and 297 boys, as well as 245 children and 5,585 adults whose sex is yet unknown).

These casualties occurred in:

In Donetsk and Luhansk regions: 9,220 casualties (3,924 killed and 5,296 injured)
- - On Government-controlled territory: 7,270 casualties (3,481 killed and 3,789 injured)
  - On territory controlled by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups: 1,950 casualties (443 killed and 1,507 injured)

Total civilian casualties from 1-13 November 2022

262 civilian casualties in Ukraine:

66 killed (17 men, 12 women, 2 girls, as well as 35 adults whose sex is yet unknown); and
198 injured (62 men, 41 women, 2 girls, 6 boys, as well as 3 children and 84 adults whose sex is yet unknown).

Civilian casualties in Ukraine from 24 February to 13 November 2022 (individual cases verified by OHCHR), per month

Source: OHCHR Civilian Casualties Report, November 14, 2022

IMPACT ON HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Since 24 February, humanitarians have reached over 13.5 million Ukrainians with assistance through 666 humanitarian organizations, which is five times the number of partners operating in Ukraine before 24 February.

Over the past weeks, humanitarians have been working tirelessly to expand operations and provide timely and critical assistance to people in areas recently retaken by Ukrainian authorities, especially in Kharkivska and Khersonska oblasts and the city of Kherson. Already more than 2 million people in Kharkivska oblast have received humanitarian assistance over the past eight months. In Khersonska oblast, nearly 100,000 people so far have been reached, most receiving cash assistance.

Aid workers are also working around the clock to address the pressing challenges millions of vulnerable Ukrainians face due to the falling temperature and the electricity cuts. Dozens of generators have already been provided to health centres, schools, and repairs are ongoing to make sure centres hosting displaced people are prepared for the winter. UN and partners have been working to increase emergency water and hygiene services, also impacted by the energy crisis. On 10 November, UNICEF signed an agreement with the Ukrainian Association of Water companies to help them accelerate measures to improve access to safe water. It will include urgent water supply and sewage system repair for people affected by the war.

Humanitarian assistance to liberated areas

From 27 October to 10 November, the UN Food and Livelihoods Cluster partners reported that 20 organizations provided enough food to cover the needs of almost 1.1 million people in 24 oblasts and Kyiv city, including in-kind food parcels, emergency rations and livelihood activities.

In addition, 5 partners reached almost 31,000 with livelihood assistance across 21 oblasts and the city of Kyiv. Most assistance was provided in southern Mykolaivska, eastern Kharkivska, western Cherkaska, central Poltavska and north-eastern Sumska oblasts, respectively, and included agricultural inputs, livestock and poultry, agricultural and non-agricultural trainings, extension services and capacity building for local partners.

Food assistance was provided in three oblasts: Kharkivska (over 275,000 people and 26 per cent of all aid delivered by the Cluster), Mykolaivska (more than 210,000 people) and Donetska (almost 130,000 people).

Provision of generators to restore health services

Generators for heating points remain a priority appeal from oblast authorities. The UN humanitarian agencies have brought together their resources to provide this essential equipment, as the intense winter weather sets in.

UNICEF’s delivery of 29 power generators in cooperation with the Kherson Oblast authorities, stable electrical supplies will help restore medical services and water and heating utilities in newly accessible areas of the Kherson region, benefiting approximately 12,000 people. An additional 14 generators were also delivered to local authorities to support water utilities in these areas to ensure access to water for about 12,000 people and to support the functioning of the Kherson Region Emergency Service.
UNHCR has so far distributed 23 generators to Kharkivska, Donetska, Sumska, Zaporizka and Kyivska oblasts to be installed at heating points with 74 in the pipeli
As of 9 November, Health Cluster Partners have donated 409 generators to health facilities across Ukraine. Most of the distribution was carried out in the Chernihiv (39), Kharkiv (33),Odesa (28), Mykolayiv ( 24) and Lviv (24)oblasts.

Health services accelerated

Health Cluster partners continue to work closely with health authorities to coordinate the rapid and effective response to improve access to health care for people in need in retaken areas in eastern Donetska, Kharkivska and southern Khersonska oblasts. To help operate mobile medical units in the retaken areas in Khersonska oblast, Medical Teams International (MTI) supports partner 100% Life, based in Kryvyi Rih, with the supply of medication kits.

Humanitarian partners have accelerated the provision of health services, particularly to areas that have been newly liberated. The MoH further stated that, with support from partners, it organized the delivery of humanitarian goods from 35 countries worldwide.

Various initiatives have been started:

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered 2.3 million doses of the mRNA Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine, with the support of the U.S. Government through USAID and as part of the COVAX initiative.

The Ukraine UNICEF Representative noted that the shipment of 2.3 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines is the agency’s largest donation to Ukraine so far and represents one way the U.S. is helping to protect the health of Ukrainians as winter sets in. This donation brings the total to 6.4 million doses provided since the start of the pandemic. The donation was a partnership with USAID which has partnered with UNICEF towards improving the Ukraine health system within a long-term outlook.

More than 4000 Ukrainian health-care facilities received over 9000 tonnes of medical supplies. In addition, surge support services for the newly accessible area continue to be reassessed through close collaboration with the national authorities.
Starting on 14 November, residents of Kherson can obtain necessary medicines or undergo health screenings free of charge. Most pharmacies closed during the occupation but will reopen after the demining of the territories.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) donated more than 10 tons of emergency health kits to hospitals in Donetska, Dnipropetrovska and Kharkivska oblasts.

On the other hand, medical facilities have continued to be the target of missile attacks. Based on matched health facility names, as of 15 November 2022, there have been 544 attacks on health facilities in 15 oblasts (including Kyiv city), 250 health facilities were attacked, and on average around 421 thousand patients were treated per month in these health facilities.

Sources: WHO War in Ukraine: situation report from WHO Ukraine country office. Issue No.32, 16 November 2022

UNICEF delivers power generators to ensure access to basic services for 12,000 people in Kherson region

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

General Audience - November 16, 2022

I have learned with sorrow and concern the news of a new and even more severe missile attack on Ukraine, which has caused deaths and damage to much civilian infrastructure. Let us pray that the Lord will convert the hearts of those who still insist on war, and make the desire for peace prevail for martyred Ukraine, to avoid any escalation and open the way to a cease-fire and dialogue.

Ho appreso con dolore e con preoccupazione la notizia di un nuovo e ancora più forte attacco missilistico sull’Ucraina che ha causato morti e danni a molte infrastrutture civili. Preghiamo affinché il Signore converta i cuori di chi ancora punta sulla guerra e faccia prevalere per la martoriata Ucraina il desiderio di pace, per evitare ogni escalation e aprire la strada al cessate-il-fuoco e al dialogo.

Elevo la mia preghiera per le vittime innocenti dell’attacco terroristico avvenuto nei giorni scorsi a Istanbul. La nostra incessante preghiera è anche per la martoriata Ucraina: il Signore dia agli ucraini consolazione, fortezza in questa prova e dia speranza di pace. Possiamo pregare per l’Ucraina, dicendo: “Affrettati Signore”.

Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISH

Angelus - November 20, 2022

Right now, we are living a famine of peace: we are living a famine of peace. Let’s think of how many places in the world are scourged by war, in particular of war-torn Ukraine. Let’s roll our sleeves and continue to pray for peace! Let us also pray for the families of the victims of the serious fire that happened in these past days in a refugee camp in Gaza, in Palestine, where several children also died. May the Lord welcome into heaven those who lost their lives and console those people who have suffered years of conflct. And let us now invoke the Queen of Peace, Our Lady, to whom this beautiful Cathedral is dedicated. To her, let us entrust our families, the sick, and each one of us, with the worries and good intentions we bear in our hearts.

Il nostro tempo sta vivendo una carestia di pace: stiamo vivendo una carestia di pace. Pensiamo a tanti luoghi del mondo flagellati dalla guerra, in particolare alla martoriata Ucraina. Diamoci da fare e continuiamo a pregare per la pace! Preghiamo anche per le famiglie delle vittime del grave incendio avvenuto nei giorni scorsi in un campo di rifugiati a Gaza, in Palestina, dove sono morti anche diversi bambini. Il Signore accolga in cielo quanti hanno perso la vita e consoli quella popolazione così provata da anni di conflitto. E invochiamo ora la Regina della pace, la Madonna, a cui è dedicata questa bella Cattedrale. A lei affido le nostre famiglie, i malati e ciascuno di voi, con le preoccupazioni e le buone intenzioni che portate nel cuore.

Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISH

Pope: peace between Russia and Ukraine is possible, don’t forget the poor

Pope prays escalation might be averted in Ukraine, remembers Istanbul victims

Parolin at Mass for Ukraine: 'There's no situation the Lord cannot resurrect'

The Vatican Secretary of the State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, presides over Mass for peace in Ukraine in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. As the war continues to wage on since Russia's full-scale invasion in February, and in the face of relentless continued attacks, the Cardinal says there is no situation too dire for the Lord to resurrect.

Head of the UGCC on the 269th day of the war: "Today, the figure of a teacher in Ukraine is the figure of a hero, in whose hands lies the fate of the future of our people"

Let our common concern for children, as well as their proper upbringing and education, our respect for the work of teachers who sacrifice their lives for the better future of their students, be the subject of our thoughts, our prayers and gratitude. This is what the Father and Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav wished in his daily military address on the 269th day of the great, bloody war that Russia brought to the peaceful Ukrainian land.